NGOs implementing schemes for tribals being monitored: Minister

NEW DELHI: Stringent measures are being taken to ensure proper monitoring of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) which are implementing the schemes of the Ministry of Tribal Welfare, the Lok Sabha was told today.

In his reply to a question on the measures taken by the government to check irregularities, Tribal Welfare Minister Jual Oram said stringent measures have been ensured by way of monitoring the NGO schemes and projects of the ministry.

Detailing the list of measures, he said that mandatory annual inspection by district authorities, scrutiny of proposals by multidisciplinary state level committee for voluntary efforts, audited statements of accounts and utilisation certificate pertaining to the releases and concurrent monitoring through an independent external agency are being done.

In addition, Oram said, the accounts of grantee institutions are open for inspection by the representatives from the the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India or concerned State Government, any time.

The Minister also said that no specific reports have been received from state and Union Territory governments indicating irregularities including diversion, misappropriation and misutlisation of funds under the scheme of the ministry.